Automatic analyzer and method for washing sample-pipetting probe

ABSTRACT

When the type is to be changed from serum (preceding sample) to urine (current sample), “serum” is set to a preceding type and “urine” is set to a measurement type at number 1 in a condition number. At condition number 1, the wash type is pattern 1, with washing performed once with detergent 1. Where the preceding sample is serum and the current sample is CSF, the condition number is 2 and the wash type is pattern 2, with washing performed twice using detergent 1 and once with detergent 2. Where the preceding sample is urine and the current sample is CSF, the condition number is 3 and the wash type is pattern 3, with washing performed once with detergent 1, once with detergent 2, and once with water. In the case of pattern 4, washing is performed three times with detergent 1.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer that performs quantitative and qualitative analyses on biological samples of a plurality of types such as blood, urine, and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid).

BACKGROUND ART

There is an automatic analyzer to measure biological samples of multiple types such as blood (including serum and plasma), urine, and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) with a sample-pipetting probe shared between the samples. It is general practice to use water to wash the sample-pipetting probe after pipetting and to subsequently rinse inner and outer walls of these automatic analyzers in order to prevent carry-over between the samples.

There conventionally have been attempts to reduce the carry-over between pipetted samples by way of improving the method for washing the nozzle and the rinse bath in which to wash the nozzle as one of the techniques for washing the sample-pipetting nozzle.

Meanwhile, the automatic analyzers have been requested to improve their analytical processing capability in recent years, and the time to pipette samples has been attempted to be shorter so as to boost overall analytical processing performance.

The time to wash the sample-pipetting nozzle also has been shortened as a result, which can lead to cases where it may be difficult to avoid carry-over unfailingly between samples following an ordinary washing operation especially in measurement items susceptible to the effects of carry-over.

The existing technologies for avoiding the carry-over between samples include a technique for setting up whether to insert a washing operation of the sample-pipetting nozzle for each measurement item and actually insert the nozzle operation before a sample is pipetted for measurement of the item in question.

Patent Document 1 discloses washing controls according to which a special washing process is performed to prevent contamination between the samples with the use of the biochemical measuring device with regard to highly sensitive immunological items if a specific analysis item is contained in individual samples in a device structure having a device for measuring biochemical items connected with a device for measuring immunological items.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: JP-2000-46844-A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

In the case of an analysis item where each type has greatly different concentration, however, carry-over might occur at the time of switchover between sample types.

For example, the normal concentration of GLU (blood glucose) contained in a serum sample is from 70 to 109 [mg/dL], whereas that of GLU in a urine sample is from 1 to 2 [mg/dL]. The concentration found in samples differs significantly between different analysis items.

For this reason, the effects of carry-over between samples of the same type are negligible even if an infinitesimal amount of a sample remains on the inner wall of the sample-pipetting nozzle. At the time of switchover from a sample of a high-concentration type to a sample of a low-concentration type, there can be significant effects of carry-over between the samples even if only a very small amount of the sample remains, which could affect the results of measurements.

The automatic analyzers of recent years have been required to deal with ever-smaller amounts of samples. This has created the possible effects of carry-over greater than ever on the result of measurement of small amounts of samples.

It is possible to prevent the effects of carry-over between samples with the above-mentioned method for determining whether to insert the washing operation for each measurement item by setting up the washing operation for any vulnerable measurement item, so that the washing operation will be inserted at the time of switchover to the target type.

The washing operation will be inserted for samples of an unsusceptible type or for consecutive samples of the same type as well at the same time, pushing up running costs and lowering the efficiency of analyses due to detergents and water wasted.

The use of the method described in Patent Document 1 will prevent the wasteful insertion of the washing operation as above through the washing control being set only to the first sample that is to start the target type.

The insertion of a time-critical sample of different type into a sequence of samples of the same type, however, could affect the samples that have not had their washing control set.

The interruption by the time-critical samples of a different type occurs on an irregular basis and is difficult to predict at the time of the setup.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the invention is to provide an automatic analyzer and a method for washing a sample-pipetting probe, whereby the carry-over between low-concentration samples of different types can be suppressed with a minimum of washing operations so as to improve the accuracy of the results of measurements regardless of the order in which samples are introduced or the order in which the samples reach the pipetting position.

Means for Solving the Problem

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is structured as follows:

There is provided an automatic analyzer including: a reagent container conservation mechanism which holds a reagent container housing a reagent; a reaction vessel conservation mechanism which holds a reaction vessel; a reagent-pipetting probe which pipettes the reagent held in the reagent container into the reaction vessel; a sample-pipetting probe which pipettes a sample to be measured into the reaction vessel; a spectrophotometer which analyzes the sample in the reaction vessel; and a rinse bath in which the sample-pipetting probe is washed. Where the sample-pipetting probe pipettes samples of different types consecutively into the reaction vessel, a method of washing the sample-pipetting probe is determined before the next sample is pipetted on the basis of the combination of the type of the sample currently pipetted and the type of the next sample to be pipetted, and then the sample-pipetting probe is washed with the rinse bath.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to implement an automatic analyzer and a method of washing a sample-pipetting probe, whereby the carry-over between low-concentration samples of different types can be suppressed with a minimum of washing operations so as to improve the accuracy of the results of measurements regardless of the order in which samples are introduced or the order in which the samples reach the pipetting position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing screen examples in which to set whether to insert a special washing operation.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams chronologically showing how the sample-pipetting probe is controlled on the basis of the sample type and the order in which samples arrive.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing for determining whether to insert the washing operation to prevent carry-over between samples.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram for controlling the washing operation on the sample-pipetting probe.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a typical setup screen for switching modes in which to calculate the amount of wash fluid.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing the screen examples of FIGS. 2A and 2B in which to set whether to insert a special washing operation, in addition to the settings for determining whether washing is deficient on the basis of the number of times washing is carried out with water where pipetting is not continuous.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing in FIG. 4 for determining whether to insert the washing operation to prevent carry-over between samples, in addition to the processing for determining whether to insert the washing operation on the basis of the number of times washing is performed with water where pipetting is not continuous.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams chronologically showing how the sample-pipetting probe is controlled on the basis of the order in which samples arrive and of the type, using the method of determining whether to perform washing on the basis of the number of times washing is performed with water where pipetting is not continuous.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams chronologically showing how the sample-pipetting probe is controlled on the basis of the sample type and the order in which samples arrive, in a system in which the ordinary washing operation in which normal water is used can be replaced with the washing operation set up through the screen of FIGS. 2A and 2B because of a long pipetting cycle.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiment explained hereunder is only one of examples of the present invention and is not limited to the example here.

Embodiment

FIG. 1 is an overall structure diagram of an automatic analyzer to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1 the automatic analyzer includes a personal computer 112. A request to analyze a sample is registered through a keyboard (input mechanism) 118 of the personal computer 112. The automatic analyzer also includes an analysis module 105 for analyzing samples. A reaction vessel 113 is placed on a reaction disk 108 of the analysis module 105. The entire reaction disk 108 is maintained at a predetermined temperature in a heat retaining device.

A sample placed on a sample rack 103 mounted on a sample feeding part 101 is transferred via a sample feeder line 102 to a pipetting line 106 inside the analysis module 105. The personal computer 112 controls the operation of the pipetting line 106 to move the sample rack 103 up to a sample-pipetting position where a sample probe (sample-pipetting probe) 107 pipettes the sample.

The sample placed on the rack 103 is pipetted in a predetermined amount into the reaction vessel 113 with the use of the sample probe (sample-pipetting probe) 107 in accordance with analysis parameters stored in a memory of the personal computer 112 and in keeping with the request to analyze the sample.

The reaction vessel 113 into which the sample has been pipetted is subsequently transferred to a reagent-pipetting position as a result of the reaction vessel 108 being rotated.

A reagent container 117 filled with the reagent for mixture and reaction with samples is installed inside a reagent disk 110. In accordance with the analysis parameters stored in the memory of the personal computer 112, the reagent is aspirated from within the reagent container 117 and pipetted in a predetermined amount into the reaction vessel 113 on the reaction disk 108 using a reagent-pipetting probe 109.

Thereafter, a stirring mechanism 111 stirs the sample and the reagent to make a mixture.

When the reaction vessel 113 traverses a photometry position on the reaction disk 108 a multi-wavelength photometer 114 measures absorbance. The measured absorbance is converted to concentration data.

According to the above-described principle of measurement, the user can set various parameters necessary for measurement, register samples to be measured, and verify the results of measurements using the keyboard 118 and the display screen of the personal computer 112.

As a general device structure for washing of the sample probe 107 of the present invention, there are provided a rinse bath 115 and a wash fluid bath 116 on a rotary trajectory of the sample probe 107, the rinse bath 115 being used for washing with water following pipetting of the sample, the wash fluid bath 116 being used for special washing of the sample probe 107. The wash fluid bath 116, including a plurality of baths to accommodate a plurality of types of wash fluids, may have a single bath when only one type of wash fluid is used. Reference numeral 104 indicates a sample storage.

Explained next is how the sample-pipetting probe of the embodiment of the present invention is washed.

FIG. 2 shows screen examples in which to set whether to insert a special washing operation between different types, the operation being performed to prevent carry-over between samples of the different types. This screen is a display screen of the personal computer 112.

FIG. 2(A) shows a screen on which to set a wash type with regard to the relations between the type of the sample about to be pipetted (the next sample to be pipetted) and the type of the sample that was measured previously (the preceding sample pipetted). Subfigure (B) in FIG. 2 shows a screen on which to edit washing methods by wash type.

In FIG. 2(A), “serum” is set to a preceding type (202) and “urine” is set to a measurement type (203) at No. 1 in a condition number field (201) where the type switches from serum (preceding sample) to urine (current sample) and where the range of concentration of an ingredient in samples varies between them such that the concentration of the ingredient in the urine sample can be affected.

Upon detecting that sample types have been set, the personal computer 112 of the automatic analyzer generates an optimum wash pattern for removing the carry-over from the pipetting nozzle on the basis of the relations between the set types and of the device characteristics, and recommends the pattern as an initial setting {(B) in FIG. 2}. At condition No. 1, the wash type is pattern 1 involving the use of wash fluid 1 and a cleaning frequency of 1.

The wash patterns are each composed of wash fluids (including detergent and water) and the frequency of washing using the wash fluids. The patterns can be changed by the user on a wash pattern edit screen (205) through the keyboard (input mechanism) 118. The wash type setup screen shown in FIG. 2(A) can also be changed with the keyboard (input mechanism) 118.

In this manner, settings should be made in similar procedures if there exist combinations of sample types that can affect subsequent samples.

Other examples shown in FIGS. 2(A) and (B) include the case at condition No. 2 with wash pattern 2 in which the preceding sample is serum and the current sample is CSF. In this case, the probe is washed twice with detergent 1 and once with detergent 2. Also included is the case at condition No. 3 with wash pattern 3 in which the preceding sample is urine and the current sample is CSF. In this case, the probe is washed once with detergent 1, once with detergent 2, and once with water.

In the case of pattern 4, the probe is washed three times with detergent 1.

Explained next with the use of FIGS. 3, 4, 5 is how to control the washing operation of the sample probe 107 during measurement in accordance with the settings in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram chronologically showing how the sample probe 107 for pipetting samples is controlled on the basis of the sample type and the order in which the samples arrive during measurement.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing for verifying the settings in FIG. 2 before the sample that has arrived starts to be pipetted and for determining whether to insert the washing operation to prevent carry-over between the different sample types.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a controller of the personal computer 112 for controlling the washing operation on the sample-pipetting probe 107. The personal computer 112 includes an analysis request memory 1121 that chronologically stores the types of the samples requested to be analyzed, a preceding/current measurement request determination part 1122, a condition table between sample types 1123 that stores the information set on the wash type setup screen shown in FIG. 2(A), a washing method table of each pattern (washing method table of each wash type) 1124 that stores the washing methods set by wash type as shown in FIG. 2(B), a sample-pipetting mechanism controller 1125, and a maximum aspiration amount memory 1126.

Once the automatic analyzer starts sample measurement, samples are transferred to the sample-pipetting position of the sample-pipetting probe 107 via feeder lines (101, 102, 106) shown in FIG. 1, and sample 1 (serum) arrives at the pipetting position. Upon arrival of sample 1, the preceding/current measurement sample determination part 1122 goes to step 400 in FIG. 4 and determines whether any preceding sample is present on the basis of the sample analysis requests stored in the analysis request memory 1121.

If there is no sample measured before sample 1, step 407 is reached. In step 407 sample 1 is pipetted without a special washing operation on the sample-pipetting probe 107.

Upon completion of the pipetting of sample 1, sample 2 (serum) arrives at the pipetting position. The preceding/current sample determination part 1122 then goes to step 400 and verifies what is stored in the analysis request memory 1121. Since there exists the preceding sample 1, the preceding/current sample determination part 1122 goes to step 401 and sets “1” as the condition number to be verified before going to step 402.

In step 402, the preceding/current measurement sample determination part 1122 verifies the condition table between sample types 1123. The preceding sample is serum and the current sample is urine at condition 1 in the condition table between sample types 1123, and hence, sample 2 (serum) does not apply to condition 1. In this case step 403 is followed by step 405 where other conditions 2 and 3 to be verified have been set to the table 1123. Subsequently step 406 is reached and the condition number to be verified is set to “2.” The processing then returns to step 402.

Since condition 2 is the case where the preceding sample is serum and the current sample is CSF, sample 2 does not apply to condition 2. Thus step 403 is followed by step 405 where another condition 3 to be verified has been set to the table 1123. Subsequently step 406 is reached and the condition number to be verified is set to “3.” The processing then returns to step 402.

Since condition 3 is the case where the preceding sample is urine, the preceding sample 1 (serum) does not apply to condition 3. Thus step 402 is followed by step 405 where the condition next to condition 3 has not been set. Subsequently step 407 is reached and sample 2 is pipetted without performing the special washing operation.

Upon completion of the pipetting of sample 2, sample 3 (urine) arrives at the pipetting position. The preceding/current sample determination part 1122 then goes to step 400 and verifies what is stored in the analysis request memory 1121. Because the preceding sample 2 is found in the memory the preceding/current sample determination part 1122 goes to step 401 and sets the condition number to be verified to “1” before going to step 402.

In step 402 the preceding/current measurement sample determination part 1122 verifies the condition table between sample types 1123. The preceding sample is serum and the current sample is urine at condition 1 in the condition table between sample types 1123, and hence, sample 3 (urine) applies to condition 1. The preceding/current evaluation sample determination part 1122 thus goes from step 402 to step 403 to step 404. In step 404 the preceding/current measurement sample determination part 1122 supplies the sample-pipetting mechanism controller 1125 with a command to perform washing in pattern 1 serving as the wash type for condition 1.

Given the command to perform washing in wash pattern 1, the sample-pipetting mechanism controller 1125 searches through the washing method table of each pattern 1124 to retrieve the washing method of pattern 1 therefrom and causes the sample-pipetting probe 107 to be washed with the retrieved washing method. The washing involves the ordinary washing of the sample-pipetting probe 107 supplemented with automatic execution of the washing operation given under condition 1 of FIG. 1, whereby the effect of carry-over from the preceding sample 2 (serum) to sample 3 (urine) is prevented to improve the accuracy of the result of measurement of sample 3 (urine). Sample 3 starts to be pipetted after this washing operation.

Upon completion of the pipetting of sample 3, sample 4 (urine) then arrives at the pipetting position. The above-described determination process shown in FIG. 4 is carried out after the arrival of sample 4. None of conditions 1 through 3 applies to this case since the preceding sample is sample 3 (urine) and the current sample to be measured is sample 4 (urine).

As a result, the decisions in steps 400, 401, 402, 403, 405, and 406 are carried out before step 407 is reached. In step 407 the special washing operation is not performed and sample 4 starts to be pipetted.

Upon completion of the pipetting of sample 4, sample 5 (serum) arrives at the pipetting position. The above-described determination process shown in FIG. 4 is carried out after the arrival of sample 5. None of conditions 1 through 3 applies to this case since the preceding sample is sample 4 (urine) and the current sample to be measured is sample 5 (serum).

As a result, the decisions in steps 400, 401, 402, 403, 405, and 406 are carried out before step 407 is reached. In step 407 the special washing operation is not performed and sample 5 starts to be pipetted.

Whereas it was explained above that the determination described in FIG. 4 is performed on the sample that arrives at the pipetting position on the pipetting line 106, the pipetting position is not limited to be somewhere on the pipetting line 106.

For example, where the sample diluted in the reaction vessel 113 is to be pipetted to another reaction vessel 113 with the use of the sample-pipetting probe 107, the pipetting position may be arranged to be where the reaction vessel 113 is located and the determination flow described in FIG. 4 may be executed accordingly.

In a case in which the sample of an effect-exerting type is to be pipetted following the above-mentioned dilution, it may be determined that the concentration of the affected item is lowered through the dilution of the sample and that the washing operation need not be inserted. In that case, even if some of the washing setting conditions in FIG. 2 does apply, the sample may be pipetted without execution of the washing operation described in FIG. 2(B) so as to suppress the rising running costs stemming from excess washing operations involving wasteful use of detergents and water, thereby preventing a decline in analysis throughput.

In addition to the above case where the sample is diluted, there may be a case where a sample of an effect-exerting type is to be pipetted following the sample to be measured again. In this case, if the concentration of the item affected by the result of the preceding measurement is so low that little effect is expected even without the washing operation to be inserted, the sample may be pipetted without execution of the washing operations described in FIG. 2(B) even if some of the washing setting conditions in FIG. 2 does apply.

Where pipetting is not carried out continuously, the sample-pipetting probe of the automatic analyzer is generally subjected to the washing operation with water on the inner and outer walls of the pipetting nozzle for the purpose of preventing the pipetting nozzle tip of the sample-pipetting probe from drying. The washing settings in FIG. 2 are thus supplemented with settings for determining whether the effect of carry-over can be avoided with a given frequency of the washing operation using water on the pipetting nozzle. When it is determined that the effect of carry-over can be avoided, the washing operation described in FIG. 2(B) is not performed even if some of the washing setting conditions in FIG. 2 does apply. Instead, the washing operation with water may be carried out on the inner and outer walls of the pipetting nozzle a predetermined number of times before the sample is pipetted, whereby the drop in analysis throughput will be prevented.

This method is explained below with reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the washing setup screen in FIG. 2 supplemented with settings for determining whether the washing operation is unnecessary with the wash pattern set on the basis of the number of times washing is carried out with water where pipetting is not continuous.

In FIG. 7(A), “2” is set to a water washing avoiding (706), for example, if the effect on the concentration of an ingredient in the urine sample can be averted by washing the pipetting nozzle with water twice by the time the type is switched from serum (preceding sample) to urine (current sample). With regard to the other conditions, if the effect cannot be avoided through execution of the washing with water of the pipetting nozzle a plurality of times, “0” is set to a the number of water washing avoided (706) to cancel the setting.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing in FIG. 4 for determining whether to insert the washing operation to prevent carry-over between samples of different types before the sample that has arrived starts to be pipetted, the processing being supplemented with steps (802) and (805) for storing the frequency of washing with water where pipetting is not performed continuously and with step (803) for determining the water washing avoiding (706) set in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a diagram chronologically showing how the sample-pipetting probe 107 is controlled by this method.

In FIG. 9, the control from the start of measurement up to the pipetting of sample 1 (serum) and sample 2 (serum) are the same as with the method described above in reference to FIG. 3.

The pipetting nozzle is washed with water when the sample 3 (urine) does not arrive and no sample is pipetted by the sample probe 107 at the pipetting timing. The determination shown in FIG. 8 is carried out in this case. It has been determined in step 801 that no sample is pipetted this time, and step 802 is then reached. After the “water washing cycle” is incremented by 1 in step 802, the processing is terminated.

At the next timing, sample 3 (urine) does not arrive and no sample is pipetted by the sample probe 107 at the pipetting timing, so that the pipetting nozzle is washed with water. The determination in FIG. 8 is carried out in this case, too. It is also determined in step 801 that no sample is pipetted this time, and step 802 is then reached. After the “water washing cycle” is incremented by 1 in step 802, the processing is terminated. The “water washing cycle” is 2 as a result.

Step 801 is reached next at the time of arrival of the sample 3 (urine) at the pipetting position. The condition number to be verified is set to “1” as in FIG. 4 since the sample is determined to be pipetted this time in step 801, and the condition table between sample types 1123 is verified. The preceding sample is serum and the current sample is urine at condition 1 in the condition table between sample types 1123, so that sample 3 (urine) applies to condition 1. Control is then passed to the added step 803.

The number of water washing avoided (706) in FIG. 7 is found set in step 803, so that the number of water washing avoided (706) of 2 is compared with the current “water washing cycle” of 2. Since the comparison reveals that the “water washing cycle” has reached the number of water washing avoided (706) of “2” in FIG. 7, step 804 is subsequently reached. In step 804 the washing operation is not performed and the sample starts to be pipetted.

As a result, the drop in analysis throughput attributable to the inserted washing operation does not occur, and the effect of carry-over can be avoided efficiently.

Whereas the time required for the washing operation is allocated in the above-described embodiment, a system having a long pipetting cycle may replace the ordinary washing operation in which water is used following pipetting of the sample with execution of the washing operation that has been set up through the screen shown in FIG. 2, whereby the drop in analysis throughput may be prevented.

FIG. 10 is a diagram chronologically showing how the sample-pipetting probe is controlled in a system in which the ordinary washing operation where water is used can be replaced with the washing operation set up through the screen of FIG. 2 because of a long pipetting cycle.

According to the above-described method, samples are transferred via the feeder lines (101, 102, 106) in FIG. 1. When a sample arrives at the pipetting position of the sample-pipetting probe 107, step 400 in FIG. 4 is reached. In step 400, the preceding/current measurement sample determination part 1122 determines whether the preceding sample is present on the basis of the sample analysis requests stored in the analysis request memory 1121. According to this method, by contrast, the above determination is carried out on the sample expected to arrive, at the time of starting to wash with water while the sample is being pipetted as shown in FIG. 10.

In FIG. 10 the control from the start of measurement up to the pipetting of sample 1 (serum) and sample 2 (serum) is the same as with the method described above in reference to FIG. 3.

With sample 2 (serum) pipetted, the sample that arrives next is acquired at the time of starting to wash with water. In this case, the next sample to arrive is sample 3 (urine).

In step 400, the preceding/current sample determination part 1122 verifies what is stored in the analysis request memory 1121. Upon determining that there exists the preceding sample 2, the preceding/current sample determination part 1122 goes to step 401. The number of the condition to be verified is set to “1” in step 401 before step 402 is reached.

In step 402, the preceding/current measurement sample determination part 1122 verifies the condition table between sample types 1123. The preceding sample is serum and the current sample is urine at condition 1 in the condition table between sample types 1123, and hence, sample 3 (urine) applies to condition 1. The preceding/current measurement sample determination part 1122 thus goes from step 402 to step 403 and to step 404. In step 404, the preceding/current measurement sample determination part 1122 supplies the sample-pipetting mechanism controller 1125 with the command to perform washing in pattern 1 serving as the wash type for condition 1.

Given the command to perform washing in wash pattern 1, the sample-pipetting mechanism controller 1125 searches through the washing method table of each pattern 1124 to retrieve the washing method of pattern 1 therefrom, and causes the sample-pipetting probe 107 to be washed by the washing method of pattern 1 that replaces ordinary washing operation in which water is used.

As a result, sample 3 (urine) starts to be pipetted without delay while the effect of carry-over from the preceding sample 2 (serum) to sample 3 (urine) is suppressed at the same time whereby the drop in analysis throughput is prevented.

The above-described embodiment works on the method of determining whether to perform washing in the order in which samples arrive at the pipetting position. Alternatively, if the automatic analyzer is configured to allow the order of sample arrivals to be changed or to let the sample probe 107 randomly access the introduced samples, the order in which the samples arrive or are pipetted may be changed suitably so as not to carry out the washing operation set up beforehand through the screen of FIG. 2, whereby excess washing operations may be suppressed to save detergents and water and inhibit the rise in running costs and the drop in analysis throughput.

Further, whereas the time required for the washing operation is allocated with the above-described embodiment, a system having a long pipetting cycle may replace the ordinary washing operation in which water is used following pipetting of the sample with the execution of the washing operation that has been set up through the screen shown in FIG. 2, whereby the drop in analysis throughput may be prevented.

Explained next is how to calculate the amount of the wash fluid for use in the washing operations described in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a typical setup screen for switching modes in which to calculate the amount of wash fluid. This setup screen is the display screen of the personal computer 112.

The calculation method of the wash fluid amount for the washing operations described in FIG. 2 includes a “fixed mode 501” in which a fixed amount of wash fluid is used and an “automatic calculation mode 502” aimed at reducing the wash fluid to be used. The two modes can be switched from one to the other through a system setting screen 503 with the keyboard (input mechanism) 118.

When measurement starts with the “fixed mode 501” selected in FIG. 6, the washing operation is performed with the fixed amount of wash fluid designated for each wash pattern prior to the start of pipetting of sample 3 (urine) in FIG. 3. Generally, a maximum aspiration amount of the sample-pipetting probe 107 is set as the wash fluid amount whatever the amount of aspiration is in effect.

When measurement starts next with the “automatic calculation mode 502” selected in FIG. 6, the sequence of types (measurement starting order) should be focused. The applicable maximum aspiration amount is stored every time a sample of a new type is pipetted.

With referring to FIG. 3, suppose that 10.0 [ul] of sample 1 (serum) is aspirated and 5.0 [ul] of sample 2 (serum) is aspirated for pipetting. In this case, the maximum aspiration amount for the type of serum is set for 10.0 [ul] at the time of starting to pipette sample 3 (urine) and is stored as such into a memory (maximum aspiration amount memory 1126 shown in FIG. 5) inside the personal computer 112. (The sample-pipetting mechanism controller 1125 stores the maximum aspiration amount into the maximum aspiration amount memory 1126.)

The determination shown in FIG. 4 is subsequently performed at the time of starting to pipette sample 3 (urine). If it is determined that the washing operation indicated in FIG. 2 needs to be carried out, the wash fluid amount to be used is calculated as the stored maximum aspiration amount of 10.0 [ul] for the type of serum, and the washing operation is accordingly performed.

In this manner, the past maximum aspiration amount for samples is calculated consecutively as a minimum necessary amount of wash fluid. This averts excessive use of the wash fluid and thereby lowers the amount of the fluid used. In such cases, the effect of carry-over can still be suppressed.

According to the prevent embodiment, as described above, the method of washing the sample-pipetting probe before pipetting a sample is changed suitably depending on the type of the samples to be measured consecutively. This suppresses carry-over from a high-concentration sample to a low-concentration sample of a different type with a minimum necessary amount of washing operation regardless of the order in which the samples are introduced or arrive at the pipetting position. It is thus possible to implement an automatic analyzer and a method of washing a sample-pipetting probe whereby the accuracy of the results of measurements can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   101 Sample feeding part -   102 Sample feeder line -   103 Sample rack -   104 Sample storage -   105 Analysis module -   106 Pipetting line -   107 Sample-pipetting probe -   108 Reaction disk -   109 Reagent-pipetting probe -   110 Reagent disk -   111 Stirring mechanism -   112 Personal computer -   113 Reaction vessel -   114 Multi-wavelength photometer -   115, 116 Rinse baths for sample-pipetting probe -   117 Reagent container -   118 Keyboard (input mechanism) -   201 Condition number -   202 Preceding type setting column corresponding to condition number -   203 Measurement type setting column -   204 Type setting column -   205 wash pattern edit screen -   501 Mode for using fixed amount of wash fluid -   502 Automatic calculation mode of wash fluid amount -   503 System setting switching screen -   1121 Analysis request memory -   1122 Preceding/current measurement sample determination part -   1123 Condition table between sample types -   1124 Washing method table of each pattern -   1125 Sample-pipetting mechanism controller -   1126 Maximum aspiration amount memory -   706 The number of water washing avoided 

The invention claimed is:
 1. An automatic analyzer for analyzing samples of a plurality of types, the automatic analyzer comprising: a reaction disk for holding a plural of reaction vessels; a sample-pipetting probe for pipetting a sample, of a plurality of samples, to be measured into the reaction vessel; a rinse bath in which the sample-pipetting probe is washed; a photometer configured to measure a reaction solution that includes a sample, of the plurality of samples; a display unit; a memory; and a controller configured to: display, on the display unit, a setup screen for previously setting information of a plurality of washing methods having wash fluid types for washing the sample-pipetting probe on a basis of a combination of a type of a first sample that has been pipetted and a type of a second sample to be pipetted consecutively next, wherein the type of the first sample is different from the type of the second sample; store information regarding the plurality of washing methods set by the setup screen and the type of the first sample that has been pipetted and the type of the second sample to be pipetted consecutively next in the memory, the stored plurality of washing methods including at least a first washing method including a first number of times of washing with at least a first detergent, a second washing method including a second number of times of washing with at least a second detergent, and a third washing method including a third number of times of washing with at least water, wherein the first, second and third washing methods are all different from each other; and based on receiving information regarding the type of first sample that has been actually pipetted and the type of the second sample that is to be actually pipetted consecutively next, determine a washing method of the plurality of washing methods on the basis of the combination of the type of the first sample that has been actually pipetted and the type of the second sample to be actually pipetted consecutively next stored in the memory and the information set by the setup screen and stored in the memory, wherein when no washing method has been stored in the memory for the combination of the type of the first sample that has been actually pipetted and the type of the second sample to be actually pipetted consecutively next, the controller is configured to determine that no washing method applies and that no washing is to be performed; and control the sample-pipetting probe to wash the sample-pipetting probe in the rinse bath with wash fluid of the wash fluid type of the determined washing method, wherein the automatic analyzer further comprises an input mechanism to select either a fixed mode in which an amount of the wash fluid for use in the determined washing method by the sample-pipetting probe is fixed or an automatic mode in which the amount of the wash fluid is automatically set, wherein, for a plurality of samples aspirated consecutively through the sample-pipetting probe without a washing method performed between aspiration of the plurality of samples and having at least two different aspiration amounts, the controller is configured to store a maximum aspiration amount from among the plurality of samples in a maximum aspiration amount memory, wherein the controller is configured to, in the automatic mode, set the maximum aspiration amount stored in the maximum aspiration amount memory as the amount of the wash fluid for use in washing the sample-pipetting probe according to a washing method required before aspirating another sample after the plurality of samples, and wherein the controller is configured to, in the fixed mode, set a wash fluid amount set according to the determined washing method as the amount of the wash fluid for use in washing the sample-pipetting probe.
 2. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the memory stores a table for storing the plurality of washing methods, the table further storing combinations of wash fluid types for each of the plurality of the washing methods.
 3. The automatic analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the input mechanism is configured to change the information in the table between sample types and the plurality of washing methods.
 4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein at a time of pipetting of the first and the second samples of a different type into the reaction vessel, when the sample-pipetting probe is washed at least a predetermined number of times from the time the first sample is actually pipetted until the second sample is actually pipetted, the sample-pipetting probe is not subjected to another washing operation in which the rinse bath is used before pipetting of the second sample without regard to the information stored in the memory set by the setup screen.
 5. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein during a pipetting cycle which is a duration from a time of an arrival of the first sample to a sample pipetting position of the sample pipetting probe to a time of an arrival of the second sample to be pipetted next to the sample pipetting position, the controller controls the sample pipetting probe to cause a washing operation by the determined washing method stored in the memory when the determined washing method of the combination of the first sample and the second sample is stored in the memory, and the controller controls the sample pipetting probe to cause a washing operation carried out with water when a washing method of the combination of the first sample and the second sample is not stored in the memory and the duration of the pipetting cycle satisfies a threshold.
 6. A sample-pipetting probe washing method for use with an automatic analyzer including: a reaction disk for holding a plural of reaction vessels; a sample-pipetting probe for pipetting a sample, of a plurality of samples, to be measured into the reaction vessel; a rinse bath in which the sample-pipetting probe is washed; a photometer configured to measure a reaction solution that includes a sample, of the plurality of samples; a display unit; and a memory, wherein the method comprising the steps of: displaying, on the display unit, a setup screen for previously setting information of a plurality of washing methods having wash fluid types for washing the sample-pipetting probe on a basis of a combination of a type of a first sample that has been pipetted and a type of a second sample to be pipetted consecutively next, wherein the type of the first sample is different from the type of the second sample; storing information regarding the plurality of washing methods set by the setup screen and the type of the first sample that has been pipetted and the type of the second sample to be pipetted consecutively next in the memory, the stored plurality of washing methods including at least a first washing method including a first number of times of washing with at least a first detergent, a second washing method including a second number of times of washing with at least a second detergent, and a third washing method including a third number of times of washing with at least water, wherein the first, second and third washing methods are all different from each other; and upon receiving information regarding the type of first sample that has been actually pipetted and the type of the second sample that is to be actually pipetted consecutively next, determining a washing method of the plurality of washing methods on the basis of the combination of the type of the first sample that has been actually pipetted and the type of the second sample to be actually pipetted consecutively next stored in the memory and the information set by the setup screen and stored in the memory, wherein when no washing method has been stored in the memory for the combination of the type of the first sample that has been actually pipetted and the type of the second sample to be actually pipetted consecutively next, the controller is configured to determine that no washing method applies and that no washing is to be performed; and controlling the sample-pipetting probe to wash the sample-pipetting probe in the rinse bath with wash fluid of the wash fluid type of the determined washing method; wherein the automatic analyzer further comprises an input mechanism to select either a fixed mode in which an amount of the wash fluid for use in the determined washing method by the sample-pipetting probe is fixed or an automatic mode in which the amount of the wash fluid is automatically set, and wherein, for a plurality of samples aspirated consecutively through the sample-pipetting probe without a washing method performed between aspiration of the plurality of samples and having at least two different aspiration amounts, the controller is configured to store a maximum aspiration amount from among the plurality of samples in, wherein the controller is configured to, in the automatic mode, set the maximum aspiration amount stored in the maximum aspiration amount memory as the amount of the wash fluid for use in washing the sample-pipetting probe according to a washing method required before aspirating another sample after the plurality of samples, and wherein the controller is configured to, in the fixed mode, set a wash fluid amount set according to the determined washing method as the amount of the wash fluid for use in washing the sample-pipetting probe.
 7. The sample-pipetting probe washing method for use with an automatic analyzer according to claim 6, wherein the memory stores a table for storing the plurality of washing methods determined from the combination of the type of the first sample and the type of the second sample, the table further storing combinations of wash fluid types for each of the plurality of washing methods.
 8. The sample-pipetting probe washing method for use with an automatic analyzer according to claim 7, wherein the input mechanism is configured to change the information in the table between sample types and the plurality of washing methods, and the sample-pipetting probe is washed according to the setting changed by the input mechanism.
 9. The sample-pipetting probe washing method for use with an automatic analyzer according to claim 6, wherein during a pipetting cycle which is a duration from a time of an arrival of the first sample to a sample pipetting position of the sample pipetting probe to a time of an arrival of the second sample to be pipetted next to the sample pipetting position, the controller controls the sample pipetting probe to cause a washing operation by the determined washing method stored in the memory when the determined washing method of the combination of the first sample and the second sample is stored in the memory, and the controller controls the sample pipetting probe to cause a washing operation carried out with water when a washing method of the combination of the first sample and the second sample is not stored in the memory and the duration of the pipetting cycle satisfies a threshold. 